Oliver Stark Teases 118's Restructuring In 9-1-1 Season 9 After Bobby's Death: "It's Gonna Be Interesting"

9-1-1 star Oliver Stark has discussed the exciting new restructuring of the 118 could see in 9-1-1 season 9. Stark has played the role of Buck in the hit ABC procedural since it premiered in January 2018, and the character developed a strong bond with Peter Krause's character Bobby. 9-1-1 season 8's earth-shattering Bobby death has hugely affected Buck, but is also set to have a major impact on the future of the show as a whole too.

In a new interview with Principle Magazine, Stark reflected on the ending of 9-1-1 season 8, which brought with it the loss of Peter Krause's character Bobby. He discussed how this is going to lead to big changes within the 118, when it comes to restructuring, and that the new season is going to focus strongly on moving on from Bobby's death, and how this might change the way in which everyone comes together to move on from the tragedy. Check out Stark's comments below:

“It’s gonna be interesting in the sense that at the end of Season 8, we lost Peter Krause’s character, [Bobby]. I think Season 9 is gonna be about rebuilding and growing from that, seeing how it’s possible to grow from that, and restructuring of the 118, which is the firehouse in the show, and seeing how everybody can kinda come together and try and move forward."

What This Means For 9-1-1 Season 9

The Specter Of Bobby Will Loom Large

There are set to be a large number of hierarchical changes in the 118 for the upcoming season, and the whole team will need to move on from Bobby's death in the right way. As Stark's comments show, 9-1-1 season 9 could be something of a transitional season for the show, with the characters looking for ways they can rebuild and move on in the aftermath of Bobby's passing. The restructuring of Firehouse 118 in the show will be a big step in helping to achieve this, and this could set the stage for the future of the series.

Bobby was such a big personality, and his influence and impact on the team cannot be overstated. 118 might feel a little like a ship without a rudder, and it could take time to deal with his absence. For now, Chimney is being looked at as the 118's new leader, although it's safe to assume that it won't be a straightforward promotion. After all, 9-1-1 thrives with drama, and his journey moving forward would be a good source for that.

The nature of first responders is that they have to deal with loss on a regular basis, but things must continue as they always have, and focusing on helping those in need is always the priority. The team will have to juggle their loss with a laser focus on being able to do their jobs in the right way.

Our Verdict On How 9-1-1 Can Move On From Bobby

The Show Will Have To Go Through A Rebirth

Bobby is one of the most prominent 9-1-1 characters, and it was shocking when the show chose to kill him off. There are a lot of factors that the show will need to keep in mind, and it will be challenging to move on from losing such a prominent character. However, this is the opportunity for 9-1-1 to undergo something of a rebirth, and there's a chance the show could look to move in a fresh and exciting direction without Bobby as the anchor.

Source: Principle Magazine

Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for my weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.